How Many Hours Should I Use a HPS For?

I noticed my HPS no longer veg grows the plants very well so I finally got a Hortilux 1000 MH just for vegging. But, I'm also concerned with how long a HPS should be used for flowering? The one I have has about 3 or 4 full grows (veg and flowering totaling about 6k hours), is that too long? Does the spectrum change on these over time and lose the best color to flower?

MH is for Vegging ( Blue Spectrum )
HPS is for flowering ( Red spectrum)
Spend 20 bucks and get a lumen output meter from the grow shop it will tell you how many lumen your 1000W is putting out.

I know all this. I also know that a good HPS vegges pretty well so an MH isn't always required (a cheap HPS does not work that well for vegging because it does not make enough of the blue spectrum). But I've noticed my good HPS has tapered off and not vegging all that well so I'm wondering if maybe it's not going to do that good of a job flowering either. So, my main question is: Does an old HPS light just start making a lot of yellow light which is not good for vegging or flowering? (A light meter will not show this problem. I'd need an extremely expensive spectrum analyzer to do this).

Think you used that light for entirely too long, only thing its good for now is lighting up your kitchen because the color spectrum is about, if not completely shot. I think total usage hours is around 3k if not less.

you should change your hps bulb after around 6 months of use depending on the make.but if you can you should replace hps bulb after each grow.but yeah hps bulbs can be used for vegging just fine.but youve definatly over used yours,so get if youve got the money,get new one.

Grow Lamp Information
Philips Greenpower Lamps Full Spectrum Vegetative and Flowering Stage Every 6-9 Months
Grolux Lamps Full Spectrum Vegetative and Flowering Stage Every 4 Months
Sunmaster Lamps Full Spectrum Vegetative and Flowering Stage Every 5 Months
Sodium Lamps Orange/Red Flowering Stage Every 6 Months
Metal Halide Lamps Blue Vegetative Stage Every 9 Months

i dont believe the bulbs change spectrum over time, just diminish in output. i like to change my flower bulbs about once a year for my veg bulbs i change them more frequently because the are on 18/6 rather than 12/12.

I guess I'll throw it out.